The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-03
~sHERMAN,s FoRAGERs.
A "Reminiscences of the March Through Geor-


Capt. Daniel Oakley, In October Century.
Cock lighting became one of the pastimes OF
the Flying Column. Many fine birds were
brought in by our foragers. those Iouno Gen
cient in courage ana skill quickly went TO tne
stew-pan in company with the modest barn-yard
fowl. but those of redoubtable valor won an
honored place and name, and were 10 De .;n sssn
riding proudly the front seat OF an artillery
caisson, carried tenderly under the arm Oh an
infantry soldier
1--WE were proud of cur foragers. They con-
stituted picked force from each regiment un-
der an officer selected for the command, and
were remarkable for intelligence, spirit. and
daring. Before daylight. mounted on horses
captured the plantations. they were In
the saddle, and away, covering the country
sometimes seven miles in advance Aithougn l
have said in the saddle. many forager nao
nothing better than Bit of Carpet. and rope
halter yet this simplicity of equipment did NOT
abate his power of carrying off hams and sweet
potatoes in the face of the enemy. The foragers
were also important as sort OF advance guaro'
for they formed virtually curtain OF mounted.
infantry screening from the lnquistlve eyes
of parties of Wheelers cavalry with whom they
did not hesitate TO engage when 1t was q queS-
ton of a rich plantation.
when compelled to retire. they resoreed TO
all the tricks of infantry skirmshers and sum
moned reenforcements of foraeers from other
regiments to help drive the 'Johnnies' out
When success crowned their efforts. the pianta-
tion was promptly stripped OF i've STOCK anu
eatables. The natives were accustomed to bury
provisions, for they feared their own soldiers
quite as much they feared ours. These sub
terranean stores were readily discovered oy tne
practiced Yankee eye. The appearance of the
ground and a little probing with ram
rod a bayonet soon decided Whetner
to dig. Teams improvised; carts
and vehicles of all sorts were pressed into serv-
ice and loaded with provisions. If any antiquat-
ted militia uniforms were discovered, they were
promptly donned. and comical procession
escorted the valuable train of booty to the point
where the brigade was expected to bivouac for
the night. The regimentals of the past. even to
those of revolutionary times, were conspicuous.
ION an occasion where our brigade had the
advance several parties OF foragers, consolidat-
ing themselves captured a town from the
enemy's cavalry, and occupied the neighboring
plantations Before the arrival of the main
column hostities had ceased order had been
restored, and mock engagements were made to
receive the army Onr regiment in the advance
was confronted by picket dressed in the cont-
nenta, uniform, who waved his plumed hat IN
response to the gibes of the men, and galloped
away on HIS bareback mule to apprise his
comrades of our approach. We marched
into the town, and rested on each side of the
main street. Presently a forager, in ancient
militia uniform indicating high rank, deoouched
from a side street to do the honors of the occa-
slon He was mounted on Rosnante with
bit of carpet for n saddle His old chapeau in
hand he rode with gracious dignity through the
street, as if reviewing the brigade. After him
came q family carriage laden with hams, sweet
potatoes. and other provisions, and drawn by
two horses. q mule and cow, the two latter
ridden by poStilliops"